The Trouble with America: Flawed Government, Failed Society
The Trouble with America: Flawed Government, Failed Society
Overview
Professor Long is far too modest in presenting this work as an 'ancillary text.' It indeed fulfills that purpose by presenting students with a carefully articulated critical evaluation of American politics and government, but it also offers students, scholars, and laypersons a tightly argued and empirically supported analysis of the nature of our political system. Long forcefully demonstrates how the very values and institutions (pluralism, constitutionalism, and capitalism) which we associate with the success of American democracy contain indigenous pathologies that often subvert our best intentions and hopes. This work, however, is far from a Jeremiad. It is premised on the assumption that the path forward can be discerned by illuminating the political ecology through which it must pass. (John G. Gunnell, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany-SUNY)Not since Duane Lockard's 1971The Perverted Priorities of American Politicsor Howard Zinn's or Noam Chomsky's more recent body blows to the establishment have we had such a fresh and deep critique of our beloved system. This self-styled 'irreverent' volume is no lightweight piece of dilettantism, nor is it the counterfactual rant of an ideologue. However much discomfort it may engender, it is clearly based on fundamental and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the core institutions of American government, both in their historical formation and their current operation. The book's argument that the inadequacies wereintentionallystructured into the very institutions that govern us is, to me, enormously persuasive. That's why I 'salivate' over using it as a counter to one of the many apologias for our current system of governance, whether it be in the basic American Government course or in American Political Thought. Imagine the class discussion! (Harald M. Sandström, University of Hartford)Kenneth Long's slender volume lands a heavy blow against American triumphalism. InThe Trouble with America, Long unapologetically interrogates the sacred principles and practices of American government, exposing them as seductive shibboleths that cloak the discrimination, disenfranchisement, and dysfunction that Long maintains have characterized the American experiment since its beginning. Few will read this ostentatiously polemical book without experiencing some discomfort or even outrage. But fewer still will finishThe Trouble with Americafeeling confident that the American polity's commitment to pluralism, constitutionalism, and capitalism can create either now or in the future a country in which all Americans can 'lift up their voices.' (Ronald P. Seyb, Skidmore College)The Trouble with Americais an important contribution to the political science literature. It is thoroughly researched, provocative, skillfully written and interesting throughout. Long's book will be appreciated by scholars and students alike for its broad and insightful perspective on American politics and public policy. (Stefanie Chambers, Trinity College)The book succeeds....It presents a provocative counterpoint to mainstream textbooks, and would challenge students in a number of areas. (New Political Science)Description
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- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
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We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
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If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Overview
Professor Long is far too modest in presenting this work as an 'ancillary text.' It indeed fulfills that purpose by presenting students with a carefully articulated critical evaluation of American politics and government, but it also offers students, scholars, and laypersons a tightly argued and empirically supported analysis of the nature of our political system. Long forcefully demonstrates how the very values and institutions (pluralism, constitutionalism, and capitalism) which we associate with the success of American democracy contain indigenous pathologies that often subvert our best intentions and hopes. This work, however, is far from a Jeremiad. It is premised on the assumption that the path forward can be discerned by illuminating the political ecology through which it must pass. (John G. Gunnell, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany-SUNY)Not since Duane Lockard's 1971The Perverted Priorities of American Politicsor Howard Zinn's or Noam Chomsky's more recent body blows to the establishment have we had such a fresh and deep critique of our beloved system. This self-styled 'irreverent' volume is no lightweight piece of dilettantism, nor is it the counterfactual rant of an ideologue. However much discomfort it may engender, it is clearly based on fundamental and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the core institutions of American government, both in their historical formation and their current operation. The book's argument that the inadequacies wereintentionallystructured into the very institutions that govern us is, to me, enormously persuasive. That's why I 'salivate' over using it as a counter to one of the many apologias for our current system of governance, whether it be in the basic American Government course or in American Political Thought. Imagine the class discussion! (Harald M. Sandström, University of Hartford)Kenneth Long's slender volume lands a heavy blow against American triumphalism. InThe Trouble with America, Long unapologetically interrogates the sacred principles and practices of American government, exposing them as seductive shibboleths that cloak the discrimination, disenfranchisement, and dysfunction that Long maintains have characterized the American experiment since its beginning. Few will read this ostentatiously polemical book without experiencing some discomfort or even outrage. But fewer still will finishThe Trouble with Americafeeling confident that the American polity's commitment to pluralism, constitutionalism, and capitalism can create either now or in the future a country in which all Americans can 'lift up their voices.' (Ronald P. Seyb, Skidmore College)The Trouble with Americais an important contribution to the political science literature. It is thoroughly researched, provocative, skillfully written and interesting throughout. Long's book will be appreciated by scholars and students alike for its broad and insightful perspective on American politics and public policy. (Stefanie Chambers, Trinity College)The book succeeds....It presents a provocative counterpoint to mainstream textbooks, and would challenge students in a number of areas. (New Political Science)Description
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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